Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who joined Newcastle from Montpellier during the last winter transfer window, has been gradually adapting to his new team and the English game. Now a starter for Newcastle, he has also been recalled to the French national team. Despite the competition in the French defense, including players like Raphaël Varane, Mamadou Sakho, and Laurent Koscielny, Yanga-Mbiwa is motivated to secure a starting place.
Yanga-Mbiwa acknowledges the challenges he faced after leaving Montpellier but emphasizes that he came to Newcastle to progress and experience a new level of competitiveness. He sees his time at Newcastle as part of the learning process, making sacrifices to gain experience for the upcoming seasons.
Reflecting on the competition in the French national team, Yanga-Mbiwa states that his goal is to get closer to the starting lineup, regardless of whether he is the 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th choice. He recognizes the competition among central defenders in the national team but remains focused on his objective.
Speaking about Raphaël Varane, Yanga-Mbiwa praises his former teammate, highlighting Varane’s maturity, intelligence in the game, and ability to adapt. Despite the competition, Yanga-Mbiwa aims to perform well and contribute to the success of the French national team
